In essence, he wants to see 50% of our planet’s 15 terawatts coming from solar, another 40% from wind (mainly offshore), and most of the rest of it from hydrokinetics.

I believe Jacobson is 100% correct that we can phase out fossil fuels altogether; in fact, I think we must. But I was surprised to see his solution.

First, though I’d love to see tons of offshore wind for a variety of reasons (aesthetics, better wind conditions, less impact on bird and bat populations), but it’s expensive.

Second, while he understands that solar and wind are variable, his idea of somehow packaging solar with wind and hydro and transmitting an integration of the three to the population centers sounds far-fetched. I think most people see this problem solved, at least partially, with energy storage.

Third, I think we need to acknowledge that a practical solution needs to be politically feasible, and I’m not sure this approach is best vis-à-vis the lay of the land politically.

If we are to say goodbye to fossil fuels, it will happen by:

• Removing the enormous subsidies for fossil fuels and creating a level playing field for clean energy in terms of capital formation

• Internalizing the externalities of energy, forcing all generators and consumers of energy to pay the true and comprehensive costs associated with what they’re doing

• Encouraging public and private capital to flow into clean energy R&D; this includes nuclear, btw, especially thorium; most people who study the subject believe that success can’t happen in the absence of nuclear

As one of nature’s most destructive forces, hurricanes are unstoppable storms that can cause total devastation for coastal communities. While Mother Nature is unpredictable and uncontrollable, there are researchers and scientists who think hurricanes can be weakened or even stopped. One idea: wind turbines.

RenewableUK has welcomed new official Government statistics published last week by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) showing that the amount of electricity generated from renewable energy sources reached a new record high of 15.5% of total electricity generation in the second quarter of this year.

Renewable energy has been called impractical for its small scale and large expense compared to conventional power production methods. Now, one area of development is answering those criticisms by getting very big to cut costs. New offshore wind facilities now going online are equal in size to the largest gas- or coal-fired power stations.

European nations installed a record number of offshore wind turbines during the first half of 2013, adding more than twice the capacity installed during the same period in 2012, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), an industry group.

One of the problems with wind power is that when there is no wind then there is no power. Offshore wind could provide abundant electricity — but as with solar energy, this power supply can be intermittent and unpredictable. A new approach from researchers at MIT could mitigate that problem, allowing the electricity generated by floating wind

A group of prominent U.S. investors, including Google, is expected to announce today that it is moving forward with construction on the first leg of an ambitious $5 billion undersea transmission line that will connect future offshore wind farms along the mid-Atlantic coast, a project they say will avert the regulatory hurdles required in connecting each

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced plans to provide $28 million in grants to seven proposed offshore wind projects, a financial commitment the Obama administration hopes will provide a boost to a green energy sector that has yet to gain a foothold in American waters.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) assessed the offshore wind capacity in Europe over the last six months. They found that at the end of the first half of 2012, the continent’s offshore wind capacity grew by at an astonishing rate from a year ago. A new report by the EWEA shows that there are 132 new offshore wind turbines, providing an additional

Japan’s nuclear disaster last year was more than a large-scale tragedy: it was a wake-up call to the dangers of nuclear power. Germany responded swiftly and decided to pull the plug on its reactors. All over the world a new wave of anti-nuclear sentiment emerged.

Wind power in the UK has reached the 6GW threshold. The landmark figure was reached by the Ormonde offshore wind farm, off the coast of Cumbria and with 120 megawatts (MW) operational, which is enough to power more than 67,000 homes.

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